Washington Township Board Stands Firm in Opposition to 2,400-Acre Earthrise Energy Solar Farm

Washington Township Board of Trustees Meeting | March 2, 2026

Article Summary: The Washington Township Board of Trustees strongly reiterated its opposition to a proposed 2,400-acre solar energy facility during its latest meeting, rejecting cash incentives and formally drafting a letter of opposition ahead of a county zoning hearing.

Washington Township Solar Farm Key Points:

• Earthrise Energy is seeking a special use permit for a 2,400-acre solar facility spanning 44 parcels across Crete, Monee, Washington, and Will Townships.

• The company is requesting zoning variances to reduce required mowings from five times a year to one, and to increase maximum ground cover height from 13 inches to 36 inches.

• Highway Commissioner Mike Smith denied Earthrise’s request to take core samples of township roads, noting their provided map did not include Washington Township parcels.

• Despite opposition, trustees debated whether the township is reaching a “tipping point” to negotiate road repair funding, as the state aggressively pushes clean energy programs.

On Monday, March 2, 2026, the Washington Township Board of Trustees doubled down on its resistance to a massive solar farm development slated for eastern Will County, directing Supervisor Mike Stanula to draft a formal letter of opposition against Earthrise Energy’s pending special use permit request.

Earthrise Energy has applied for a special use permit through Will County to construct a 2,400-acre solar energy facility. According to the agenda packet, the sprawling development would encompass 44 parcels located in Crete, Monee, Washington, and Will Townships. As part of the application, Earthrise is asking the county to significantly relax property maintenance standards, specifically requesting that the number of required mowings be reduced from five times a year to just once, and that the maximum ground cover height be increased from 13 inches to 36 inches.

A Will County hearing for the Special Use Permit is scheduled for March 18 in Joliet.

During the meeting, Highway Commissioner Mike Smith reported that an Earthrise Energy representative visited him the previous week, requesting permission to take core samples of township roads that would be affected by the solar facility’s construction. Smith denied the request, pointing out a geographic discrepancy in their planning documents.

“Smith said he denied the request because the map that was provided last week did not include any parcels located within the township,” the meeting minutes state.

Despite the denial, the Earthrise representative informed Smith that the company was willing to repair any roads damaged during construction. Smith informed the board that Earthrise has been offering cash incentives to local entities affected by the solar facilities, including direct funds to the Villages of Beecher and Crete, as well as the Beecher Fire District.

Historically, the Washington Township Board has stood against accepting any offered incentives, remaining universally opposed to the solar projects. However, board members acknowledged the reality that the projects are likely moving forward “regardless of township objections because the state is aggressively pushing for a clean energy program.”

This prompted a strategic question from Trustee Tracy Heldt, who asked the board if the township is at the “tipping point” where they should consider listening to what Earthrise wants to offer. Heldt suggested that if Earthrise is inevitably going to damage township roads but is willing to repair and improve them, it could result in a positive proposal and a savings to local taxpayers.

Commissioner Smith agreed that road repairs are highly expensive, noting that whatever improvements Earthrise could provide would save the road district substantial time and costs. Consequently, the Board directed Smith to contact the Earthrise representative and request more specific details regarding what the company is willing to offer toward road repairs.